Multiplexed gear actuation system for a dual clutch transmission

Abstract

A gear actuation mechanism for an automatic transmission, comprising: a motor; first and second gear actuation shafts; means of selecting one power path from each of two sets of power paths in response to rotation of the first and second actuation shafts, respectively; and means of alternately driveably connecting the motor to either the first gear actuation shaft or the second gear actuation shaft.

1. A gear actuation mechanism for a multiple speed automatic transmission, comprising:
 a motor; 
 first and second gear actuation shafts; 
 means of engaging and releasing couplers within the transmission in response to rotation of the first and second gear actuation shafts; and 
 a configurable mechanism driveably connecting the motor alternately to the first gear actuation shaft or the second gear actuation shaft, the configurable mechanism comprising 
 a sun gear; 
 a ring gear; 
 a planet carrier; and 
 a set of planet gears supported for rotation with respect to the planet carrier and each meshing with both the sun gear and the ring gear. 
 
     
     
       2. A dual clutch automatic transmission comprising:
 first and second clutches; 
 a first set of selectable power paths, each including the first clutch; 
 a second set of selectable power paths, each including the second clutch; 
 a motor; 
 first and second gear actuation shafts; 
 a means of engaging the couplers of one power path from the first set of power paths in response to rotation of the first gear actuation shaft; 
 a means of engaging the couplers of one power path from the second set of power paths in response to rotation of the second gear actuation shaft; 
 a configurable mechanism driveably connecting the motor alternately to the first gear actuation shaft or the second gear actuation shaft, the configurable mechanism comprising an epicyclic gearing assembly with a first element driveably connected to the first gear actuation shaft a second element driveably connected to the second ear actuation shaft, and a third element driveably connected to the motor, and wherein the speed of one of the three elements is constrained to be the weighted average of the speeds of the other two elements; and 
 a means of holding one of the two gear actuation shafts stationary in response to a control signal. 
 
     
     
       3. A dual clutch automatic transmission comprising:
 first and second clutches; 
 a first set of selectable power paths, each including the first clutch; 
 a second set of selectable power paths, each including the second clutch; 
 a motor; 
 first and second gear actuation shafts; 
 a means of engaging the couplers of one power path from the first set of power paths in response to rotation of the first gear actuation shaft; 
 a means of engaging the couplers of one power path from the second set of power paths in response to rotation of the second actuation shaft; 
 a configurable mechanism driveably connecting the motor alternately to the first gear actuation shaft or the second gear actuation shaft, the configurable mechanism comprising an epicyclic gearing assembly with a first element driveably connected to the first gear actuation shaft, a second element driveably connected to the second gear actuation shaft, and a third element driveably connected to the motor, and wherein the speed of one of the three elements is constrained to be the weighted average of the speeds of the other two elements; and wherein 
 the first gear actuation shaft is held stationary whenever the first clutch is partially or fully engaged; and 
 the second gear actuation shaft is held stationary whenever the second clutch is partially or fully engaged.